2019 JLU Soft Top Broken. Again

[Mikeyj10]

I took my JLU to the dealer last year when the soft top wouldn't collapse. They replaced they lift arms and soft top because they said all the baffles were blown out and the springs in the arms were broken. I have no clue how this might have happened or when it might have happened. Nothing traumatic like the roof blowing open suddenly or anything like that. It just wouldn't collapse one day. The service manager couldn't tell me how or even maybe what would have caused it. Every time the top comes down it gets locked into place and velcro strapped down.

All good for about a year. Coming down I-95 the other day with the top up, all the windows in and the front passenger window open, I passed a semi and the whole Jeep started shaking. All of sudden I notice a lot more noise and the roof baffles are all blown out again.

It's 1000 miles out of warranty, but the new roof is only about 16000 miles old. They said they'd fix it if it was the same problem (it is). Then they said no, because I "don't know how to put my roof down". Which is crap. Then he gave me a lesson in aerodynamics and how, when I'm driving around with the back windows out and top up, the wind is putting to much pressure on the arms that hold the roof up. All I ever do is drive around town (rarely on the interstate) and I've never noticed any difference in shaking or noise with all the windows out and the top up, but the service manager told me how I was doing everything wrong.

It seems like it was probably passing a semi on the interstate and the shear that comes off of those since that's when everything started to act up.

Has anyone else had any problems with this? Or have experience with how this happens? If I can't drive my Jeep down the interstate, it's probably time for a new car....

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[Dyolfknip74]

What do you mean "roof baffles" on a soft top?

 

[Punknhed]

I have a 19 sport with premium soft top. Im not sure what you mean by baffles either? I do notice that if i have all 4 windows open below 60-65 i dont get any wind buffeting inside the jeep. If i go over 65 i have to have the front windows only open about 1/4 inch and i open the back ones a couple of inches or i get a ton of wind noise. I have never had my jeep shake passing a semi in 56k miles.
I have run the top flipped back in sunrider position at 70mph with the windows open or closed and not had a problem with wind buffeting.

 

[NJJeep Guy]

I have found that I do not like highway driving with the soft top windows in for this reason. I believe the top reacts badly to that amount of wind in the closed cabin. I'll close the sunrider top and windows if they are open, or remove the windows if I'll be on the highway that day.

 

[Heimkehr]

...Then he gave me a lesson in aerodynamics and how, when I'm driving around with the back windows out and top up, the wind is putting to much pressure on the arms that hold the roof up.

The front of the soft top is securely anchored to the windscreen header bar with two stout locking clamps. The sum of the soft top fabric is attached to a metal frame (I wouldn't call the individual components "arms") at multiple points on each side.

The service manager first agreed to the repairs, and then declined to do so. Now he's attempting to clumsily lecture you using incorrect terms and dodgy science.

Unless that dealer is your only source of relief for this matter (and at this point, a well-composed letter to the Svc Mgr's supervisor is warranted), I'd consider going elsewhere.

 

[phranque1673]

Pics would be helpful to see what you mean by the baffles being blown out. Also, is this the standard or premium soft top?

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